Mars made the long-awaited announcement during Fox television’s broadcast of a National Football League playoff game between the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints.

The band is expected to broaden the audience for the halftime show with a more psychedelic funk edge, in contrast to Mars’ more retro pop reggae-influenced style.

Red Hot Chili Peppers have sold more than 60 million albums, have six Grammy Awards and entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.

Mars was named in September as the headliner for the halftime show, considered one of the most coveted spots in entertainment. More than 110.5 million viewers watched last year’s broadcast, which featured Beyonce, the NFL has said.

Previous performers have included Prince, Madonna, U2, Bruce Springsteen and The Who.

Reporting by David Jones in Newark, New Jersey; Editing by Sharon Bernstein and Lisa Shumaker